The National Zoological Department of Sri Lanka stopped the cruel elephant circus in 2016 and the elephant show in 2020 due to call for their ban by animal lovers. But as of August 2022 they have restarted the cruel elephant show!

 
Footage shows elephants of the Dehiwala Zoo being forced and terrorised to play net ball and entertain local crowds. The elephants in chains are being handled with bullhooks, while mahouts also pull their tails and abuse them. These elephants are showing stereotypic behavior which are symptoms of what is referred to as Zoochosis. 

Forcing wild animals to perform unnatural and often harmful tricks to entertain people is a cruel and outdated practice which has no place in a modern and caring society.

Legislation banning animals in the circus is already in place in many countries and many more are set to follow. And many countries have stopped keeping elephants in Zoos altogether. 

We ask the Minister for Wildlife, the Minister of Tourism and the President of Sri Lanka to STOP this backward decision taken by the director general of the Zoological Gardens immediately, and instead continue on a path of progression toward better welfare for the elephants and other animals in the Zoo system of Sri Lanka.